Butterflies in Mind -- Zinnia
Susan C. Dunlap
A collection of 50 images as if seen from a butterfly’s point of view. Includes the names of native Zinnia species and the most complete list of US butterflies that will feed on Zinnia blossoms.
Butterflies in Mind -- Asclepias
Susan C. Dunlap
“Milkweed is the single most important plant for Monarch butterflies. This lavishly illustrated book contains details about the structure and cultivation of native Milkweeds, information about the 139 nectar-feeding butterflies they...
Butterflies in Mind -- Monarch
Susan C. Dunlap
This abundantly illustrated volume enables you to select from a complete list of well described perennial nectar plants that are known to attract & feed Monarch butterflies. Over 40 genera are described that are suitable to be grown...
Butterflies in Mind -- Perennials
Susan C. Dunlap
Butterflies in Mind - Perennials. This book is a definitive guide to perennial nectar plants preferred by US butterflies. It empowers you to feed, attract, support (and help identify) nectar-feeding butterflies that reside in the US....

Asclepias tuberosa

Family: Apocynaceae

Common names: BUTFERFLY WEED, CHIEGER FLOWER, INDIAN PAINTBRUSH, MILKWEED, PLEURISY ROOT, SILKWEED, TUBER ROOT

Native to: Eastern United States, Southern United States

Plant

Type: perennial

Forms: clumping, erect

Max height: 3.3 feet

Max width: 2 feet

Flower

orange

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, hummingbird, specific butterfly species

Plant part consumed by birds: nectar

Exposure: sun

Propagates by: division, seed

flowers in fall

flowers in summer

Soil type: well drained

USDA Zones: zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f

Temp. range: -40 to +30 °F

Water: moderate

Butterflies that feed on this plant

Abaeis nicippe

Agraulis vanillae

Amblyscirtes exoteria

Amblyscirtes fimbriata

Amblyscirtes phylace

Anartia fatima

Anatrytone logan

Ancyloxypha numitor

Atalopedes campestris

Battus philenor

Calephelis borealis

Callophrys gryneus

Callophrys johnsoni

Calycopis isobeon

Chlosyne gorgone

Chlosyne nycteis

Colias eurytheme

Colias philodice

Cupido comyntas

Cyanophrys miserabilis

Cymaenes trebius

Danaus eresimus

Danaus gilippus

Danaus plexippus

Dione moneta

Echinargus isola

Emesis ares

Emesis tenedia

Epargyreus clarus

Euphydryas chalcedona

Euphydryas phaeton

Euptoieta claudia

Eurema mexicana

Eurytides marcellus

Greta morgane

Hesperia viridis

Junonia coenia

Junonia evarete

Lycaena dione

Lycaena hyllus

Lycaena phlaeas

Nymphalis antiopa

Ochlodes sylvanoides

Papilio canadensis

Papilio cresphontes

Papilio eurymedon

Papilio glaucus

Papilio multicaudata

Papilio polyxenes

Papilio rutulus

Papilio troilus

Papilio xuthus

Papilio zelicaon

Phaeostrymon alcestis

Phyciodes batesii

Pieris rapae

Piruna aea

Plebejus acmon

Poanes massasoit

Poanes zabulon

Poladryas arachne

Polites carus

Polites peckius

Polites sabuleti

Polygonia comma

Pompeius verna

Pontia protodice

Satyrium acadica

Satyrium auretorum

Satyrium calanus

Satyrium californica

Satyrium caryaevorus

Satyrium edwardsii

Satyrium liparops

Satyrium polingi

Satyrium sylvinus

Satyrium titus

Satyrodes eurydice

Speyeria aphrodite

Speyeria atlantis

Speyeria cybele

Speyeria edwardsii

Speyeria idalia

Strymon melinus

Strymon serapio

Thorybes bathyllus

Vanessa atalanta

Vanessa cardui

Asclepias is an Apocynaceae known as MILKWEED or SILKWEED. There are 225 species of MILKWEED. Four perennials are cultivated that grow in Zones 3-10. Asclepias tuberosa grows to 3 1/2 feet high and prefers moderate watering in dry months.

Asclepias currassavica Silky Gold grows to 2 1/2 feet high. Asclepias currassavica Silky Gold Red grows to 3 1/2 feet high, incarnata grows to over 6 feet high, speciosa and tuberosa to 3 1/2 ft high. They prefer moderate irrigation during dry months. A. incarnata needs regular water.

Asclepias tuberosa attracts Callophrys gryneus Juniper Hairstreak

Butterflies attracted to this genus include:
Atalopedes campestris, Sachem
Callophrys gryneus, Juniper Hairstreak
Colias eurytheme, Orange Sulphur
Danaus gilippus, Queen
Danaus plexippus, Monarch
Epargyreus clarus, Silver-spotted Skipper
Euphyes vestris, Dun Skipper
Hylephila phyleus, Fiery Skipper
Lycaena phlaeas, American Copper
Papilio cresphontes, Giant Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes, Black Swallowtail
Papilio troilus Spicebush Swallowtail
Pholisora catullus, Common Sootywing
Phyciodes tharos, Pearl Crescent
Polites carus, Carus Skipper
Polygonia interrogationis Question Mark
Satyrium auretorum, Gold-hunter's Hairstreak
Satyrium calanus, Banded Hairstreak
Satyrium californica, California Hairstreak
Satyrium sylvinus, Sylvan Hairstreak
Satyrium titus, Coral Hairstreak
Speyeria cybele, Great Spangled Fritillary
Strymon melinus, Gray Hairstreak
Thorybes pylades, Northern Cloudywing
Vanessa atalanta, Red Admiral
Vanessa cardui, Painted Lady
Vanessa virginiensis, American Lady
Zerene eurydice, California Dogface